The life of Alan Turing

By Saskia Kiernan

The life of Alan Turing

By Saskia Kiernan

Who is Alan Turing?

He was an English mathematician, wartime code-breaker and pioneer of computer science. He was born in 1912 in London. In 1952 he was arrested for homosexuality and in 1954 he committed suicide (aged 41) 16 days before his 42nd birthday.

Alan Turing - Celebrating the life of a genius

Alan Turing’s Early Years

Turing’s father, Julius, worked for the Indian Civil Service in India. During their childhood years, Alan and his older brother stayed with a retired Army family while their parents traveled between Hastings, England, and India. He showed an interest in mathematics and science from an early age, but his headmaster was not impressed with his abilities in these fields.

Turing’s Educational Years

While studying at the Sherborne School, Turing became friends with Christopher Morcom, whose early death made Turing an atheist.

Turing’s Later Years

Turing was arrested for being gay and soon after, Turing passed away at the age of 41, on June 7th, 1954 in England. The cause of death was cyanide poisoning. A half-eaten apple was found near his body and, it was found that he committed suicide.